Defense official: ISAF withdrawal decision premature

August 14, 2013, 14:03 UTC+3Russian Deputy Defense Minister believes Afghanistan has no security forces of its own

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MOSCOW, August 14 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said he believes the decision to withdraw the coalition forces from Afghanistan in 2014 is premature.

"I believe ISAF's final decision to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014 was a little bit hasty," Antonov told reporters on Wednesday. He believes Afghanistan has no security forces of its own capable of resisting the radicals.

The Afghan problem is becoming increasingly urgent as the year 2014 draws near. It creates challenges including for Russia’s national security. "Our country in general and the Defense Ministry in particular are doing much to strengthen our contingents in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan given the events that will take place in 2014," Antonov added.